UAAP volleyball set to resume after Holy Week break

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Volleyball Standings

Women

*NU 11 2
DLSU 8 4
UST 8 4
FEU 8 5
UP 6 6
AdU 5 7
Ateneo 4 9
UE 0 13

Men

*FEU 12 1
*NU 11 2
*UST 8 4
*DLSU 8 4
Ateneo 6 7
UP 3 9
AdU 2 10
UE 0 13
*Final Four

Games Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

9 a.m. – UST vs UP (Men)
11 a.m. – DLSU vs AdU (Men)
1 p.m. – UST vs UP (Women)
3 p.m. – DLSU vs AdU (Women)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines plays University of Santo Tomas as it tries to keeps its hopes alive of entering the Final Four via the backdoor as the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament resumes today (Wednesday) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Having defeated three of last year's semifinalists in the eliminations, the Fighting Maroons seek to hurdle another one in the Tigresses in the 1 p.m. contest as they try to remain on course of seeking a playoff for the No. 4 spot.

With a 6-6 record, UP needs to sweep its last two matches, including its elims finale against Adamson University on Sunday, and hope that either De La Salle (8-4), UST (8-4) and Far Eastern University (8-5) won't reach nine wins to stay on course for its first Final Four stint since UAAP Season 78 (2016).

The Lady Spikers seek to rebound from a tough five-set loss to the Fighting Maroons before the Lenten break as they shoot for a 15th consecutive Final Four berth against the Lady Falcons at 3 p.m.

Defending champion National University, with a league-best 11-2 record, is the only team that has assured of a Final Four slot and a twice-to-beat advantage.

UP's 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14 victory over La Salle has given motivation for the Diliman-based side to beat another pre-tournament favorite. Prior to shocking the Lady Spikers, the Fighting Maroons had stunned the Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Bulldogs.

UP coach Benson Bocboc hopes that the long hiatus will be a big help for their preparation as well as to have the players' bodies and minds well recovered.

"Hopefully pagbalik namin, mas matibay na after the break," said Bocboc.

("Hopefully when we return, we'll be stronger after the break.")

As the Tigresses were also able to reset during the Holy Week, coach Kungfu Reyes needs his team to produce another collective effort to foil the Fighting Maroons and complete the Final Four cast.

"Alam mo yung sakripisyo, siyempre iba pa rin talaga yung 100 percent ka na wala kang masyadong bitbit na masakit ang legs mo or something like that, pero ngayon, we're getting better na naging na nakakapagpahinga ng maayos," said Reyes.

("You know the sacrifice, of course, it's still different when you're 100 percent and you don't have to carry the pain in your legs or something like that, but now, we're getting better because we've been able to rest properly.")

Adamson, sporting a 5-7 card, may have missed the Final Four for a second straight season, but the San Marcelino-based squad is determined to go down swinging.

For coach JP Yude, the Lady Falcons' Season 88 has already began with phenomenal rookie Shai Nitura determined to carry the team in the last two matches and close out its campaign on a high note.

"Siguro, I know na nandiyan na yan (Nitura) yung talent na ganyan na binigay sa kanya ng Panginoon. We are blessed, pero I just want na continue lang siya maging humble all the time," said Yude.

("Maybe, I know that the talent (Nitura) has is a gift from God. We are blessed, but I just want him to continue being humble all the time.")

"Kahit anuman marating niya sa buhay, anoman ang makuha niyang puntos man diyan o ma-break na record diyan — maging humble lang all the time and continue mag-lead sa mga kasama niya, kasi yan yung way ng Lord kung paano niya i-lead yung mga kasama niya. Kasi nga siya yung nagdo-dominate sa loob ng court and sa team," he added.

("Whatever he achieves in life, whatever points he scores or records he breaks — just stay humble all the time and continue to lead his teammates, because that's the way the Lord leads those around him. Because he is dominating on the court and with the team.")

Nitura, who has a record five 30-point outings this season, scored only 16 points in their first round loss to the Lady Spikers, her second lowest output in the tournament.

Meanwhile, UST takes on UP at 9 a.m., while La Salle goes up against Adamson at 11 a.m. Both the Golden Spikers and the Green Spikers, with similar 8-4 cards, have assured spots in the Final Four with their respective final elimination round rankings yet to be settled.

As UST braces for the Final Four, either against FEU (12-1) or NU (11-2), coach Odjie Mamon welcomed the Lenten hiatus to rejuvenate.

"Yung break, it will be an advantage for us. The players can recover. 'yong mga may injuries can recover, and of course, 'yong mental fatigue medyo ma-alleviate over the break," said Mamon.

("The break will be an advantage for us. The players can recover. Those with injuries can heal, and of course, the mental fatigue will be somewhat alleviated over the break.")

For De La Salle, which is eyeing to enter the podium after back-to-back fourth-place finishes, coach Jose Roque wanted his troops to deliver 100 percent effort in the last two matches before the Final Four.

"We'll play hard talaga. Sabihin na namin na alam namin yung security namin in the Final Four, pero we'll still take it seriously. Talagang gusto namin tapusin ng malakas yung second round. Kung kaya namin i-sweep yung second round, I think magiging better preparation para sa amin 'yon for the semifinals," said Roque.

("We're really going to play hard. Even if we already know our spot in the Final Four is secure, we'll still take it seriously. We really want to finish the second round strong. If we can sweep the second round, I think that would be a better preparation for us heading into the semifinals.")